Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial vehicle, a truck accident lawyer can help you pursue damages.
The team at Sweet James has over 25 years of experience helping injury victims. If you were injured in a crash with a negligent trucker, a Massachusetts truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation.
Why Hire a Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorney?
Truck accident claims tend to be more complicated than standard car accident cases. A personal injury lawyer can assist with your case by:
- Gathering evidence: A lawyer can collect accident reports, photographs, witness statements, and other evidence to determine how the collision occurred and who is at fault.
- Calculating your losses: A lawyer can evaluate your damages and help make sure your claim is fairly valued.
- Handling insurance negotiations: A lawyer can communicate with insurers and work to obtain a fair settlement for you.
- Representing you in court: If settlement negotiations fail, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
What Types of Damages Can You Pursue?
The compensation available after a truck accident depends on the severity of your injuries, the losses you experience, and the circumstances of the collision. Available damages may include:
- Medical expenses: You may seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other reasonable medical care related to your injuries.
- Lost income: You can recover income you lost if your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can seek additional compensation if serious injuries affect your ability to perform your previous job or earn the same income in the future.
- Property damage: You may recover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and other property damaged in the collision.
- Pain and suffering: You may receive compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You may seek additional damages if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or everyday experiences you enjoyed before the accident.
- Wrongful death damages: In the event of a fatal accident, you can pursue funeral and burial costs, lost income, and other related damages through a wrongful death claim.
A Massachusetts personal injury lawyer can help you put together a comprehensive claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Massachusetts?
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, § 2A, you typically have three years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, exceptions may apply to cases involving government entities, wrongful death, or injured minors.
If you don’t file before the applicable statute of limitations expires, you will likely lose the right to recover damages for the accident. A Massachusetts truck accident attorney can help make sure that doesn’t happen.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
More than one party can share liability for a truck accident. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Truck drivers: The truck driver may be liable if speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, or another form of negligence on their part caused the crash.
- Trucking companies: A trucking company can be held responsible for negligent hiring, inadequate training, unsafe policies, or other conduct that contributes to an accident. The company may also be responsible for an employee’s actions in certain circumstances.
- Truck owners: If the truck is owned by someone other than the trucking company, the owner may potentially be liable for an accident caused by negligence.
- Maintenance companies: A company responsible for inspecting, repairing, or maintaining a truck could be liable if negligent maintenance or repairs contribute to a mechanical failure.
- Cargo loaders: A party responsible for loading a truck may face liability if cargo is improperly secured, distributed, or loaded and that problem contributes to the crash.
- Truck or parts manufacturers: A manufacturer could potentially be liable if a defective truck or component causes or contributes to an accident.
A Massachusetts commercial truck accident lawyer can investigate your accident and identify who is at fault.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Massachusetts
Most truck accidents are caused by human negligence. Some of the most common causes of accidents in Massachusetts include:
- Driver distraction
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Impaired driving
- Inadequate driver training
- Improperly secured cargo
- Overloaded trucks
- Brake or tire failures
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Dangerous roadway conditions
- Violations of trucking regulations
A Massachusetts semi-truck accident lawyer can help gather evidence to prove the cause of your crash.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Massachusetts
The steps you take after a truck accident matter. If you are able, you should:
- Call 911: Report the accident and obtain a copy of the police report.
- Document the scene: Take photographs or videos of the vehicles, roadway, debris, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: Obtain the names, contact information, driver’s license information, insurance information, and vehicle information of the other drivers.
- Identify witnesses: Ask witnesses for their contact information if they are willing to provide it.
- Visit a doctor: Get prompt medical care to document your condition for your claim.
- Avoid admitting fault: Stick to the facts when discussing the collision with insurance adjusters and people at the scene.
- Keep track of your losses: Maintain records of medical treatment, missed work, transportation costs, property damage, and other accident-related expenses.
- Get legal help: Contact our Massachusetts truck accident lawyers to discuss next steps.
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Massachusetts
Truck accident claims require an in-depth investigation. If you were injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, a truck accident lawyer serving Massachusetts from Sweet James can gather evidence, handle the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
Book a free case review to find out how you can get paid for your accident.
